There is something else we can extract from the angels’ song. Let’s explore this as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Luke 2:13-14 AMP
[13] Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying,
[14] “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”
Hear The Angels Sing
Angels have featured prominently as God’s messengers from Genesis to Revelation. In Matthew and Luke’s Christmas stories, they’ve been on active messenger duty, informing, forth-telling, and instructing special people about different aspects of the birth.
The angel-song was a unique aspect of the shepherds’ experience. Angels had visited others before, perhaps after, but not with one appearing who is suddenly accompanied by others. Isaiah had visions of angels singing praises before God’s throne (for more, see Isaiah 6). And though there were multitudes there and singing, Isaiah’s vision spoke of his call to Ministry, not the proclamation of the Messiah’s birth.
I can’t say that there were extra messages hidden in plain sight in the angel-song; but we note that even before the proclamation of peace, they praised God.
That is definitely noteworthy.
Siblings, we know that angels spend much of their time in God’s presence (see Isaiah 6; Job 39:7). While there are guardian and other categories of angels, we know that they also sing. Interestingly, in Isaiah 6, they are recorded as singing God’s glory. This also occurs in Revelation 5:12. What I hear from their song is that we also ought to always lift our praises to God.
Self-check
How are we at praising God in all circumstances?
Digging Deeper
One angel delivered the news to the shepherds. That angel was joined by a multitude of other angels. Although described as a host, which often relates to God’s warrior angels, they were singing of Christ’s birth. It was as if they couldn’t help but confirm the good news.
They were joyous.
They were spontaneous.
They spoke of God’s glory being present in the Messiah’s birth.
Their sentiment was echoed by Simeon upon seeing Y’shua in the temple a few days later (see Luke 2:28-32). The angel-song was yet another element of proof offered to the shepherds of the Messiah’s legitimacy, despite His humble beginnings. It also suggests that wherever God’s glory is present on earth, peace must prevail.
The praise and proclamation offer us a blueprint for our own ministry. Whatever we do must be to God’s glory, and it ought to reflect God’s peace and favour upon our lives. May our witness be as clear as the angels’ praise to all who care to ‘listen’.
Point to Ponder
What needs to be refined in our personal praise song to God?
